Games that are good
Games that are good
Or growing it, but it's still an incredible experience... There are mods available to eliminate those repetitive issues (or just play Arcane Warrior and tell rules to leave). I've never felt so entertained, thrilled, or moved in a game before (tresspasser DLC was touching). The music... The humor... The main antagonist (JK is clearly the least impressive part of the game.)
I enjoyed Witcher 3 a lot, but it felt more like reading a novel than truly living in a virtual environment. It seems the game's pacing and mechanics didn't quite match my expectations, making it harder to stay immersed. Still, I consider these two RPG giants of this decade to be among the best (at least in storytelling—the most crucial aspect of a game, in my opinion). My order: DA:I (complete) > W3 (complete) > W3 (stock) > DA:I (stock). Trespasser could be the standout DLC I've ever played... It truly delivers the ultimate conclusion to the story (even though I got the hints early on, the reveal was amazing).
Consensus reached on Witcher 3's storyline might not suit all, but I truly enjoyed it. Its tight focus with one character made it very personal, allowing me to connect with Geralt in many ways, making the experience quite engaging. I didn’t find DA 1 or DA 2 as captivating, so I stayed out of the DA:I scene. The only match-up would be against ASOIAF RPG.
It seems the concept needs a major shift—would require a "Rome" style strategy game. The games we know today feel average. Middle Earth would work better (MBotF and Kingkiller Chronicles would be great too), but most companies seem more interested in profit than creating a genuine gaming world. The best we have is Shadow of Mordor, which isn’t perfect. A Turin-themed title could be deeply moving... (Children of Hurin). I didn’t play the first DA games before DA:I, so I approached it with curiosity. I tried W2 before W3, but I was disappointed for the same reasons as W3—I rushed through it like a casual player. I just don’t connect as strongly with Geralt since the typical male gamer vibe feels off. As someone who loves dark fantasy stories, the freshness is lost. Speaking of, have you checked out the Trespasser DLC?
Oh... that's frustrating... I haven't wrapped up DA2 yet. It feels so dull... I pre-readed DA1 and am going with an Arcane Warrior setup so I don’t have to grind through tedious content. Either way, if you haven’t tackled Trespasser, I promise you won’t wish away the effort. I’m okay handling ASOIAF games, but I’m worried about too much fan service and a confusing story (just like in the show).
ASOIAF is way too expansive for a single RPG. You’d need to narrow it down to one plot. RTS might fit better. Middle Earth is always fun revisiting, but it’d have to offer something fresh. A Kvothe-style tale would shine once we discover the ending. I’m currently working through MBotF. I’ve just finished Gardens of the Moon and noticed a few gaps. I’m pushing on because many respected voices say they enjoyed it, though the characters feel a bit scattered and hard to connect with. The narrative is strong, but the delivery doesn’t quite click for me. I’m struggling to imagine how it would work in a game setting, but I’m getting closer. Maybe it’ll make more sense later. Nice names on your rigs!
I haven't played Rome, so I’ll rely on your perspective. Yeah, the First Age does have some incredible tales. Any of those three would definitely be epic. Now I’m eager to revisit The Children of Hurin. Wow, I hope the writing improves over time since I struggle to stay focused once I start. At least I’ll have enough material to process while I wait for The Winds of Winter, The Doors of Stone, Stones Unhallowed, Peace Talks, and more. I really enjoy the characters and their arcs, plus the intricate plot connections and the world-building. There’s something about the way it’s told that feels off to me, and it really frustrated my wife—she left and stopped discussing it altogether. She’s a more avid reader than I am, though she only reads occasionally epic fantasy. Looking back now, there are definitely some first-book storylines that could work well in an RPG setting. I’ll have to wait and see before making a final decision.